1777: CANOE SURFING IN TAHITI, BY WILLIAM ANDERSON. “I COULD NOT HELP CONCLUDING THAT THIS MAN FELT THE MOST SUPREME PLEASURE”

William Anderson was the surgeon on Captain James Cook’s third voyage to the South Pacific. The entry, often mistakenly credited to Cook himself, was originally published in 1784 as part of Cook’s three-volume set A Voyage to the Pacific Ocean. Anderson's topic is the disposition of the local people. The text below has been slightly edited and shortened. * * * Matavai Bay, Tahiti August 24-Septe...

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